The International Artists Union (I.A.U) calls an open forum among artists, the public, and the press on Saturday April 21, 2007 at 12:00pm at Black Star Line Music and Video in Harlem (352 Lenox Ave. and 127th St). Panelists Jeru the Damaja, Steele of Smif-N-Wessun, Reggie Reg of the Legendary Crash Crew and more discuss artists gaining power in the music industry. The goal is to address the exploitation of artists and propagation of racist and sexist stereotypes and present a case for a legal artist union. Not only do recording artists lack the power to disseminate their music into the mainstream without permission they are persuaded with threats of becoming broke if it doesnt sound like whats already out on the airwaves.

The exploitation of artists has been standard practice in the record industry since the oligopoly of Sony, BMG, Universal, Warner and EMI has existed in America. In 2007, the issues are still late or no royalty payment, label piracy, and the usual breach of contract. However, today, with the young culture of Hip-Hop becoming so popular and politically vulnerable, it also includes artists being pressured to release the most violent, sexist, racist and stereotypical music possible.

Artists formally under Universals subsidiaries have admitted having been forced to either release the record labels type of music or become shelved forever. Retaliatory acts by music groups such as withholding the release of an artists album, recouping unspecified expenses from artists have become common practice in Hip-Hop.

The problem is the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) an association representing the interests of Sony, BMG, Universal, Warner, and EMI creates the standards and business practices for Americas music. Five companies own 90% of the music the public hears. This contradiction prevents many artists from being creative, artistic, or accurate. Historically, the only viable weapon for a worker or the public against an oligopoly or conglomerate is an organized workers union.

WASHINGTON, April 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Council on American- Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on advertisers and guests to boycott Don Imus' radio program because of his long history of racist and bigoted comments.

In the latest controversy, Imus made racist and demeaning remarks about the Rutgers women's basketball team. He has since been suspended for a two- week period.

The Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group says Imus has repeatedly made racist and bigoted comments about African-Americans, Jews, Asians, and other minority groups.

In 2004, CAIR received an apology from MSNBC for anti-Arab/anti-Muslim remarks made on the "Imus in the Morning" program. In a segment commenting on the alleged execution of a wounded Iraqi by a U.S. Marine, a fictitious "Senior Military Affairs Advisor" to the program justified the killing by referring to a "booby-trapped raghead cadaver." Another "Imus" program referred to Palestinians as "stinking animals" and suggested that they all be killed.

As early as 1985, Imus was forced to apologize for referring to Arabs as "goat-humping weasels." In a reference to the 2004 crash of an Iranian airliner that killed 43 passengers, Imus said, "When I hear stories like that, I think who cares." He then stated: "Too bad it wasn't full of Saudi Arabians."

In a statement, CAIR said:

"No advertiser who seeks customers, and no guest who wants to maintain his or her credibility, should have anything to do with a host who has such a long history of bigoted and racist comments. We all value the First Amendment right to free speech, but the listening and viewing public has no obligation to reward, or support those who reward the promotion of hatred and intolerance."

CAIR's statement is part of the group's ongoing "Hate Hurts America" campaign designed to counter hate speech on talk radio.

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 32 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.